Definitely have to take the O-Monster Here

I was tempted to join a tour group trip to Hakone National Park, the less than advertised area within sight of Fuji on a clear day. You can even see Fuji-san’s reflection on Lake Ashi on a clear day. But I had flashbacks of the wiki-wiki stops on the Big Island and decided to do it myself.

I picked up the directions from the fleet and family support services, and did a little research the night before. One gentleman did the same trip on his own, but started at 6am. I delayed my start a little bit in order to skype with Michelle and Olivia at 8am (thanks for letting me sleep in Love because I know Olivia was up earlier than that).

I got on the train at 9:30am and heading for Hakone. After changing trains I made it to Ofuna (how long it took I don’t remember, thanks to The World is Flat). I switched trains and headed for Odawara, when I jumped on a cable car heading up to Souzane. It was sometime after 11am I made it to my first destination, Hakone Open Air Museum. Only 100 yards from the cable car stop, I was mesmerized before even stepping through the gate. They had a fountain at the entrance that just caught my eye, and took me a few minutes to figure out it was more or less perpetual random motion that kept in moving.

Once inside I almost pulled the typical gai-jin mistake and walked into the middle of a video shoot that was being taken of the giant buffalo. They setup a little 20 ft track and must have taken at least 15 shots and running up to the buffalo. Next to the buffalo were two huge eggs on the sidewalk – at least 10 ft in diameter – that doubled as benches. How fitting, the paper just had an article about it was the hottest summer on record, and there at Hakone it was so hot they did fry an egg on the sidewalk. Later on I learned that the eggs were a part of a much bigger piece in which the obelisk looking object was actually a frying pan handle and the eggs were inside the pan. How clever.

Olivia and I have some practicing before out debut with Barnum and Bailey


I later wandered over to what looked like a giant set of Lincoln Logs, the Woods of Net. Inside were kids squealing in delight with the super sized hammock and suspended 2 ft diameter balls. One boy was practicing his karate on one of them, but ended his Tai Bo workout before I could get my camera out. I have to admit, I wished I was 22 years younger.

This is where I get home and ask Olivia, “Were you good while Dad was away? Really? Is that what Mom would say?” I’m thinking we need to encourage some potty training soon, and I have just the idea for a reward. But it gets better, there was also a giant space capsule gym unlike any other I had seen. It was like an eight-year-old designed the playground that only kids eight and below could use. Again, bummed. But, I think Olivia would have a hay day out here.



This is the Woods of Net. But I didn't see any nets from the outside.

Eureka, I've found the nets. But I couldn't get a picture of the little boy practicing his roundhouse kicks on one of the suspended balls.

In between were some not as eventual trips inside the Picasso museum (pictures not allowed), where I was reminded that the poor guy just could not decide on a woman to spend his life with. Oh, and his art was pretty stellar too, from the paintings to the ceramics and tapestry. All pretty amazing to see an abstract artist’s perspective, one that I have always had a hard time understanding. But I’ll keep trying, that’s why I love Michelle, she’s always exposing me to new things and getting me out of the engineer’s box of right angles and black and white solutions.

A little relief from the sun outside, and relearning about all Picasso and all of his quirks.
What happens when you have too much fun at the Picasso Museum, or sit in the sun for too long.

From the Open Air Museum, I just barely caught the cable car (almost got my shirt caught in the door as it was closing). Only to be headed the wrong way down the hill. Silly switchbacks, I forgot the cable car switched directions twice on its way up the hill, and this happened to be one of those stations. So I had another good 20 minutes reading my book in order to finish my trek back up the mountain.
Near the top a Souzan, I hitched a ride on the rope way (aka gondola) across Lake Ashi.

Yada, yada, yada, bus back to to the train station, train back to Yokosuka, and home by 10pm.

Coincidence our Little Miss Stubborn was born in the year of the ox?

Besides the Woods of Net, we also have the "Where is Miffy?" activity to wear our our Little O.

And when the day is over, we're stopping by to take our pictures with the Japanese Anamie cutouts.